Predictors for postpartum pelvic girdle pain in working women: The Mom@Work cohort study

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine which factors during pregnancy and postpartum predict pelvic girdle pain (PGP) at 12weeks postpartum among working women. A total of 548 Dutch pregnant employees were recruited in 15 companies, mainly health care, child care, and supermarkets. The definition of PGP was any pain felt in the pelvic girdle region at 12weeks postpartum. Participants received questionnaires at 30weeks of pregnancy and at 6 and 12weeks postpartum with demographic, work-related, pregnancy-related, fatigue, psychosocial, PGP-related and delivery-related questions. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Almost half of the women experienced pain in their pelvic girdle at 12weeks postpartum. However, the level of pain and the degree of disability due to postpartum PGP was low. Pregnancy-related predictors for PGP at 12weeks were history of low back pain, higher somatisation, more than 8hours of sleep or rest per day, and uncomfortable postures at work. The pregnancy and postpartum-related predictors were: more disability at 6weeks, having PGP at 6weeks, higher mean pain at 6weeks, higher somatisation during pregnancy and at 6weeks postpartum, higher birth weight of the baby, uncomfortable postures at work and number of days of bed rest. Based on these results, it is concluded that extra attention should be given to women who experience PGP during pregnancy to prevent serious PGP during late pregnancy and postpartum. More research is needed to confirm the roles of hours of sleep, somatisation, and bed rest in relation to PGP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]